Islands of linkage in an ocean of pervasive recombination reveals two-speed evolution of human cytomegalovirus genomes.

ABSTRACT: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects most of the population worldwide, persisting throughout the host's life in a latent state with periodic episodes of reactivation. While typically asymptomatic, HCMV can cause fatal disease among congenitally infected infants and immunocompromised patients. These clinical issues are compounded by the emergence of antiviral resistance and the absence of an effective vaccine, the development of which is likely complicated by the numerous immune evasins encoded by HCMV to counter the host's adaptive immune responses, a feature that facilitates frequent super-infections. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of HCMV is essential for the development of effective new drugs and vaccines. By comparing viral genomes from uncultivated or low-passaged clinical sa

SUBMITTER: Lassalle F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6167919 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature